Corsa Specialised Vehicles

Last updated

Corsa Specialised Vehicles
Industry Automotive
Founded1994
FounderPeter Dichiera
Headquarters Mildura, Australia
Products Automobiles
Website www.csvaustralia.com

Corsa Specialised Vehicles (CSV) is a small-scale automaker established in 1994 that is based in Mildura, Victoria, Australia. Its range consists of V8-engined high performance cars based on those produced by Holden.

Since its founder, Peter Dichiera (an engine builder and 1970s drag racer), [1] decided that CSV would not simply build modified versions of existing Holden cars, in 1996 it obtained government approval under the Australian Design Rules (ADR) scheme. [2] In so doing, CSV became a "secondary manufacturer" [3] in the same mold as its established large-scale rival, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV).

CSV's famed tuner reputation [4] was established with the first vehicle built in 1994. Badged Corsa 220i ("corsa" meaning "race" in Italian), it was based on a Holden Berlina (VR). The interest arising from the favourable results of this new high performance sedan against an HSV equivalent, as published in a national automotive magazine, [5] caused CSV to build a further two vehicles by special order and begin exhibiting at Australian motorshows.

The CSV range grew to include:

The individual model designation of each vehicle is based on the engine kilowatt-output. For example, the Mondo was offered as the GT305 (featuring a 5.7-litre LS1 producing 305 kW (409 hp), stainless steel high output headers, stainless steel exhaust, Harrop brakes, Koni suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and 245/35ZR19 tyres), a "Stage 2" GT350R (featuring a blueprinted version of the base engine) and the GT400R (instead powered by a 6.5-litre V8 engine).

Apart from high capacity and high output V8 engines, enhanced suspension and braking systems, CSV models have been characterised by upgraded interiors and full body kits (in particular, bonnet air vents, revised grilles and large decklid spoilers).

CSV's achievements in the local Australian industry have included producing the fastest accelerating Australian production car from 0 to 400 metres (0.00 to 0.25 mi) (the CSV Veloce) in 2000, [9] and offering the first Holden Commodore-based performance car powered by a 7.0-litre LS7 V8 engine (the 2007 CSV GTS), beating rival HSV [10] with its subsequent W427.

Still based in Mildura, CSV's operations expanded to Melbourne for a time before their closure. The brand also has a presence in Perth, Western Australia, as CSV Australia.

This CSV is not to be confused with HSV's Middle Eastern export CSV badge, which stands for "Chevrolet Special Vehicles" instead.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Monaro</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Monaro is a car that was manufactured by General Motors' Australian division Holden. It has a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and was produced with a two-door coupé body from 1968 to 1975 and again from 2001 to 2006 and with a 4-door sedan body from 1973 to 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Special Vehicles</span> Division of Holden

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was the officially designated performance vehicle division for Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the privately owned company modified Holden models such as the standard wheelbase Commodore, long wheelbase Caprice and Statesman, and commercial Ute for domestic and export sale. HSV also modified other non-Holden cars within the General Motors lineup in low volumes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Caprice</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Caprice is a full-size car which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1990 to October 2017. The similar Holden Statesman, which was also introduced in 1990 as a model below the Caprice, was discontinued in September 2010. Between 1971 and 1984, Holden marketed their long-wheelbase sedans under the Statesman marque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VZ)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VZ) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2004 to 2006 as a sedan and to 2007 as a wagon and Ute sold alongside the new VE series. It was the fourth and final iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last to spawn a coupé variant. Its range continued to include the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VZ) and Holden Calais (VZ).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VE)</span> First iteration of final generation Commodore

The Holden Commodore (VE) is a full-size car that was produced from 2006 to 2013 by Holden—the Australian subsidiary of General Motors. Luxury variants—the Holden Berlina and Holden Calais—and a utility version—the Holden Ute—were available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VY)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VY) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2002 to 2004. It was the third iteration of the third generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VY) and Holden Calais (VY); commercial versions were called the Holden One Tonner (VY), Holden Ute (VY), and Holden Crewman (VY). In 2003, the range also saw the introduction of the first Commodore-based all-wheel drive variants, including the Holden Adventra (VY) wagon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VN)</span> Full-size car produced by Holden from 1988 to 1991

The Holden Commodore (VN) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1988 to 1991. It was the first iteration of the second generation of this Australian made model, which was previously a mid-size car, as well as the first Commodore available as a coupé utility. The new range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VN) and Holden Calais (VN) and, from 1990, introduced the commercial Holden Utility (VG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VL)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VL) is a mid-size car that was produced by Holden from 1986 to 1988. It was the final iteration of the first generation of the Holden Commodore and included the luxury variant, Holden Calais (VL). Between February 1986 and August 1988, 151,801 VL model Commodores were built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VP)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VP) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1991 to 1993. It was the second iteration of the second generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VP) and Holden Calais (VP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VT)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VT) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1997 to 2000. It was the first iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last one to be powered by a locally made V8 engine (1998). Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VT) and Holden Calais (VT) but not a new generation utility version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VR)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VR) is a full-size car which was produced by Holden from 1993 to 1995. It was the third iteration of the second generation of the Holden Commodore. The VR range included the luxury variants, Holden Commodore Berlina (VR) and Holden Calais (VR) and a commercial model, the Holden Ute (VR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VS)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VS) is a full-size car which was produced by Holden from 1995 to 1997 and 2000 for utility versions. It was the fourth and final iteration of the second generation of the Commodore. The range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VS) and Holden Calais (VS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VX)</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden Commodore (VX) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2000 to 2002. It was the second iteration of the third generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VX) and Holden Calais (VX), and it formed the basis for a new generation Holden Ute (VU) coupé utility and Holden Monaro (V2) coupé.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Statesman (automobile)</span> Automotive marque created in 1971 by Holden

Statesman is an automotive marque created in 1971 by the Australian General Motors subsidiary, Holden. Statesman vehicles were sold through Holden dealerships, and were initially based on the mainstream Holden HQ station wagon platform, thereby providing more interior room and generally more luxurious features than their Holden-branded sedan siblings. Production ceased with the last of the WB series cars in January 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HQ</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HQ series is a range of automobiles that was produced by Holden in Australia from 1971 to 1974. The HQ was released on 15 July 1971, replacing the Holden HG series. It was the first ground-up redesign of the Holden line since its original release in 1948, and included an all-new body, chassis, and suspension. The HQ was later developed into a series of successor models, finally ending production when the WB series was discontinued in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxhall VXR8</span> Motor vehicle

The Vauxhall VXR8 is a performance car marketed by Vauxhall in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2017, based on two different models produced by Holden Special Vehicles: the HSV Clubsport (2007–2009) and HSV GTS (2010–2017). The VXR8 is the successor to both the Vauxhall Monaro VXR and the Vauxhall Omega/Carlton. Initially powered by a 411 bhp (306 kW) Gen IV LS2 6.0 litre V8, from late 2009 it was upgraded to the Gen IV LS3 6.2 litre V8 with 425 bhp (317 kW), shared with the Chevrolet Corvette C6 and the Chevrolet Camaro SS. The Vauxhall initially mainly competed with other large sport sedans such as the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E55/E63 AMG, and although it was somewhat bigger in almost all dimensions than them, was not enough to touch luxury territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HK</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HK series is an automobile which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1968 to 1969. Introduced in January 1968, the HK range progressively replaced the Holden HR series which had been in production since 1966. HK models were both larger and heavier than their predecessors and the range would ultimately include thirteen different models against the eight of the HR range. The Holden HK was marketed under Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, Brougham and Monaro model names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HJ</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HJ is a series of automobiles which were produced by Holden in Australia from 1974 to 1976. The HJ series was released on 4 October 1974 and was an improved and facelifted version of the superseded Holden HQ series which had been in production since 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden HX</span> Motor vehicle

The Holden HX is a range of automobiles which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1976 to 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holden Commodore (VF)</span> Second iteration of fourth generation of Commodore

The Holden Commodore (VF) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden between June 2013 and October 2017. It was the second and last significantly restyled iteration of the fourth (and final) generation of the Holden Commodore to be manufactured in Australia. Its range included the sedan and station wagon variants that sold under the luxury Holden Calais (VF) nameplate. Also available was the commercial utility variant that sold under the Holden Ute (VF) nameplate.

References

  1. "Motor Mouth". Motor : 9. November 1999.
  2. "Cleanskin Corsa!". Motor : 8. July 1996.
  3. "Mumbo Monsters!". Motor : 124. December 2005.
  4. 2010 Hurst Pontiac G8 and G6 Revealed, The Motor Report, 2 July 2009
  5. "Muscle Match". Motor : 34. September 1994.
  6. "Collision Corsa". Motor : 72. June 2000.
  7. "One-off La Classe". AutoSpeed. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  8. "CSV Bullet Ute - Steve McQueen would dig this Bullet's grunt". Motor magazine . Motoring.com.au. June 2001. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  9. "Move over GTHO!". Motor : 1. July 1996.
  10. "CSV GTS LS7 - HSV's faithful wait for an official 7.0-litre project, but CSV has already beaten the factory to the power punch". Wheels . Motoring.com.au. December 2007. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.